“We strongly support NATO, an alliance forged through the bonds of two World Wars that dethroned fascism, and a Cold War that defeated communism. But our partners must meet their financial obligations,” Trump said. | Getty

Trump demands other NATO members pay their fair share

Just in case any NATO members hadn’t gotten the message, President Donald Trump said it once again Tuesday night: You need to pay up.

The Republican president, in his speech before a joint session of Congress, held firm to demands that other countries in the decades-old military alliance must spend more on defense and not simply count on the United States to cover for them.

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“We strongly support NATO, an alliance forged through the bonds of two World Wars that dethroned fascism, and a Cold War that defeated communism. But our partners must meet their financial obligations,” Trump said. “And now, based on our very strong and frank discussions, they are beginning to do just that.”

He then ad-libbed: “In fact, I can tell you the money is pouring in, very much.”

He didn’t offer details, but some NATO states have said since before Trump was elected that they were increasing their defense spending.

Trump’s complaint about other NATO members not spending enough on defense is hardly unique to him. Even his Democratic predecessor, Barack Obama, urged other NATO members to stop relying so heavily on the United States to financially carry the military alliance.

Only a handful of NATO's 28 members meet the target of spending at least 2 percent of their gross domestic product on defense.

But despite his vows of support for NATO on Tuesday, Trump has often spoken of the alliance in highly dismissive terms, calling it “obsolete” and suggesting that the United States may not stick to its treaty obligations and come to the aid of fellow NATO members not paying their fair share.

That has deeply alarmed NATO members in Europe, who are increasingly wary of Russian aggression. Trump’s insistence that the U.S. needs to improve its relationship with Moscow hasn’t helped.

In what appeared to be a veiled reference to Russia, Trump on Tuesday said, “America is willing to find new friends, and to forge new partnerships, where shared interests align.”

“We want peace, wherever peace can be found,” he added later, noting. “America is friends today with former enemies.”